Madagascar: Former Leader Denied Comeback

By Staff Writer

ANTANANARIVO---Ousted Malagasy leader Marc Ravalomanana was forced to return to his exile home in South Africa on Saturday following closure of the Madagascan airspace to prevent his return amid of thousands of his supporters showing up at the capital’s airport to welcome him.

Aboard a commercial plane, Ravalomanana was forced to abandon his homecoming mid-flight after reports that incumbent president Andry Rajoelina had issued notice ordering closure of the country’s main airports to prevent his return.

Ravalomanana has been exiled in South Africa since being toppled in 2009 and several attempts to return to his home country have proven futile.

Thousands of Ravalomanana supporters left the airport in dejection, as security forces fired tear gas to force the crowd to retreat. His party in the unity government has suspended its role saying that its members in the cabinet and parliament will not participate in any meeting in protest against Saturday’s incident.

On Friday, Ravalomanana told reporters in Johannesburg that he would put into practice what he said he had learned during exile in South Africa and wanted to work for peace and democracy in his troubled homeland.

Ravalomanana agreed to cooperate with the country’s current leader Rajoelina in sharing power alongside other two opposition parties that saw formation of an inclusive government following talks brokered by the regional blocs.

Last Friday, South Africa’s deputy foreign minister Marius Fransman who has led regional efforts to restore democracy in Madagascar, issued a statement, calling on all political formulations and the political leadership, noting “contextual challenges relating to the political situation in Madagascar to exercise political maturity.

Rajoelina, former mayor of the capital and disc jockey, declared himself president after leading a military-backed popular uprising that forced President Marc Ravalomanana out of power in March2009.

The international community has refused to recognize his new government, leading to diplomatic isolation and the freezing of financial aid. Madagascar was suspended from the African Union (AU) shortly after Rajoelina’s takeover.